Police shot robber to death

JAKARTA (JP): Police shot dead yesterday a man who had just robbed a woman on a Metromini bus in Grogol, West Jakarta.

West Jakarta Police Chief Lt. Col. Bakat Purwanto said the police were forced to shot Parlindungan Situmorang, 23, for trying to escape.

"An officer shot the criminal in the neck and stomach after he ignored two warning shots," Bakat said.

He said Situmorang held a knife to the woman, identified only as Nung, and stole her handbag containing money.

"The other passengers could only shout for help," he said.

A group of police officers patrolling the area stopped the bus just after the crime was committed but the suspect escaped through the rear door, he said.

According to Bakat, two police officers, aided by a bajaj (three-wheeled motorized vehicle) driver chased the suspect.

One of the officers then shot Parlindungan dead.

Bakat said the suspect, a resident of West Jakarta, was a hardcore local street criminal. "He had done time in jail for several robberies." (jun)